Normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations vital for entire region

December 19, 2007 - 16:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations is vital not only for the two states but also for the entire region, RA National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian said during The Armenian-Turkish Relations: Problems and Prospects extended parliamentary hearings.

"Both Armenia and Turkey are members of the Council of Europe. Turkey is holding talks for EU accession. It means that this country should share the values European bases on. We have numerously stated that Turkey's membership would be expedient for Armenia. Any country would like to have a neighbor that doesn't represent a menace," he said.

"European states are interested in normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and opening of the border," he added. "Armenia doesn't push preconditions while Turkey's position is quite opposite. We insist on resolution of the issue in the framework of European integration."